NatCroMo 2016, March 24: Crystal Bucholz

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The Crochet Express National Crochet Month Blog Tour

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Welcome to Crochetville’s fourth annual National Crochet Month (NatCroMo) blog tour, taking place each day of March 2016. Join us as we take a virtual tour on our passenger steam train, The Crochet Express, visiting crochet designers, crochet-friendly local yarn stores, and yarn companies, and offer some fun giveaways.

Want to Chat about the Tour?

Part of the fun of taking a passenger steam train trip is talking with your fellow passengers. This year, we’re providing two locations where our passengers can get to know each other. We’d love to hear about your favorite things you’ve discovered on the tour and see photos of your current crochet projects. You’re invited to join us daily for virtual cocktails/appetizers and dinner. (We’ll be sharing links to some fabulous recipes!)

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Crystal Bucholz, Crystalized Designs

Crystal Bucholz

Crochetville is very proud to have designer Crystal Bucholz with us today, March 24, as one of the featured designers on our 2016 Designer Blog Tour in honor of National Crochet Month (NatCroMo).

About Crystal:

As the founder and designer of Crystalized Designs, Crystal strives to create unique and enjoyable crochet patterns for every kind of crocheter! Crochet became a huge part of Crystal’s life when she was put on bed rest while pregnant with her youngest child. Creating photography props for her unborn child is what started her adventure, and only a short year later did she create her first pattern. Crystal’s patterns range in skill level from beginner to more complex designs. Crystal loves to design garments, learn new techniques, as well as teach others to crochet.

1. Tell us about your favorite travel destination:

Our family cabin ins probably my favorite place to go year round. I love visiting in the winter, curling up by the fire with my current project while my children play. During the summer months, I get less crocheting in when we go, but I love being around the campfire (especially if s’mores are involved)!

2. Tell us about a “dream” travel location that you’d like to visit one day:

There are so many places that I would love to see, it’s hard to choose just one. I would most likely try to find places that would put me close to some of my favorite crochet designers. I would love to meet the designers that I’ve gotten close to over the years.

3. Do you visit yarn stores when traveling? If so, tell us about one of your favorite finds.

Normally we visit the more secluded vacation spots so I really don’t stop at any yarn stores. I do try to stop at any used books stores we pass, though. I love seeing what crochet, spinning, and cooking books I can find!

4. Packing: Tell us about any crochet clothing or accessories you pack when traveling. Do you have any cool packing tips to share?

I pack my crocheted slippers no matter what time of year. In the summer, I pack a few tops but that’s about all the clothing/accessories I pack. My yarn and projects, on the other hand, match or are greater than how much clothing I packed.

The biggest tip I can give, and I try to follow it, is to limit the amount of crochet projects. When vacationing, I always imagine I’ll have more time to crochet than I really do. So I set myself a limit . . . and most of the time I still end up with more packed than I planned.

5. Tell us about any crochet projects you take with you when traveling: How many projects do you take? How do you decide which ones to take?

Back to that limit I set myself. For a weekend trip, I allow myself up to 3 projects. For a week or more trip, I pack a maximum of 5. This way if I get bored with one project, I can move on to another. Before this ‘rule’ I set for myself, I would pack so much that I wouldn’t even touch three-fourths of what I brought.

I try to take different types of projects with me, with at least one not being a project I’m currently designing. If I’ll be around more than just my family, I know I won’t be able to give designing the attention it needs.

6. Do you have any stories or anything else travel-related that you’d like to share with our blog tour readers?

Hold on to those hooks in the car! I was working with a smaller hook in a three hour car trip and dropped it between the seat and the door. When I went to grab it, it slid under the irremovable hard plastic on the floor. I’m still surprised my husband didn’t find the nearest yarn store with all my pouting and complaining. When we got to our destination, I had to use more hooks to wiggle it out.

Visit Crystal’s Site: NatCroMo Specials

Crystal Bucholz National Crochet Month Special

Chic Cowl will be offered free for the day using code NATCROMO2016 plus a giveaway for 10 patterns of the winner’s choice. Come to my site for the details.

Crystal’s Designs:

If you’re not familiar with my work already, I’d like to share three of my designs with you.

Angella Cardigan | Crystal Bucholz | Crystalized Designs

1. Angella Cardigan, $5.99

Cardigan Comfort! Love keeping warm on those cooler days? This cardi is perfect to make and wear! The pattern looks great in variegated, tweed and solid colors.

Radiant Tee | Crystal Bucholz | Crystalized Designs

2. Radiant Tee, $5.99

This close-fitting yet comfortable garment is perfect for covering a camisole and still making a statement! Made in cotton, this piece offers a cool cover up on those warm days though the tighter fit can easily be covered with a sweater on those cooler days.

Sunflower Sun Hat | Crystal Bucholz | Crystalized Designs

3. Sunflower Sun Hat, FREE

This fun sun hat is easy and elegant! Loose fitting for comfort in the heat, this sun hat is cool and offers the perfect shade on your face and neck. Add ribbon and other embellishments to personalize it!